Wholesale Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Blog

Festival season is in full swing around the country.  In south Louisiana alone there is one somewhere every weekend.  Don’t believe it?  Check Clarence’s List.  There is far more than even I thought we had.  Some big ones just finished–Jazz Fest in New Orleans, Festival Internationale in Lafayette, and the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival.  These festivals tell us something about what the hats vendors need for festivals in 2012. 

STRAW HATS

As a wholesaler of headwear, Accessory Wholesale gets a good feel for the hats that vendors are moving at a variety of outdoor events.  For the festivals mentioned, durable straws were very strong, especially straw hats with big brims.  Lindu straw lifeguards and safaris logged the most sales.  Lindu straw has the durability to hold up in any weather and the wide brims provide shade in the hot days when the sun can bake you.  Best of all, these straw hats are cheap. Vendors reported both guys and gals were buying these hats.   

But some festival goers were more into hats that look cool than they were into protection from the sun.  With so many musicians wearing fedoras, that’s the hat they just had to have.  Straw stingy brim fedoras led the way here, but cotton fedoras in colors also got a fair share of the business. 

LADIES WIDE BRIMS

Yes, ladies were buying lindu straw hats as well as the guys, but the gals that wanted to look fashionable went for floppy wide brims—even super wide brims.  These hats, sometimes called swingers, have floppy brims that range from four inches to seven inches in super-widebrims.

Most have color choices and tan, white, and then black were best.  One of the most popular styles selling was ribbon hats.  What in the world are ribbon hats?  Well, this is a new concept that has popped up in recent years.  Narrow bands of grosgrain fabric are continuously sewn to create the wide brim hats.  Brim sizes in these hats run the full range from 4 inches to 7 inches.  The super wide brim retails for around $25.00, but that was probably considered cheap compared to a Jazz Fest ticket that cost $65.00.  One terrific benefit the ribbon hats have is they are packable.  When the festival is over pack them away and they will pop back in shape when unpacked. 

COWBOY HATS

Cowboy hats seem to be timeless.  They were a big player in these early festivals, but not the number one seller.  However, at the end of every summer, cowboy hats sell more units for us than any other category of casual hats.  There are plenty of outdoor events where cowboy hats dominate—rodeos, horse shows, country music festivals, and they rank high at county fairs.  Actually, there’s hardly an outdoor event that happens without cowboy hats. 

The most popular shape is pinch front hats followed by cattlemen.  A pinch front has a shape like a fedora that comes to a rounded point in the front with an indention on each side.  They also have a C crown indention like fedoras.  What is a C crown indention?  Notice the top of the pinch front cowboy hat shown.  Imagine this top domed out like a derby and then was pushed in.  Then to make more head room, the center was pushed out again.  This is the shape of a pinch front cowboy and also a fedora. 

The cattleman has a crease down the center from front to back (this is called the cattleman crease).  Elongated indentions are centered high on the crown. 

 Distressed straws with shapeable brims are the most popular cowboy hats.  The hats are stained to look like they have been well-worn with perspiration stains.  Manufacturers go through a lot of work to get this beat-up look that sells much better than a nice clean hat. 

What about cowgirl hats?  New this year is vibrant colors from the summer fashion palette.  And who said cowgirl hats can’t be fashionable?  Tangerine, yellow, turquoise, and lime—there all there.  On the Pantone palette the colors have fancier names, but the cowgirl hats are capturing the hues.

GAMBLERS

The gambler is a hat with an attitude.  It says something independent or rugged.  And it is always a hit at South Louisiana festivals because so many musicians wear this style.  Gamblers have an oval shape crown a C crown indention.  The brim turns up slightly and flattens as it dips in the front and back.  Often confused with a golf hat, however golf hats turn up at the edge all the way around rather than flattening in the front and back. 

Lindu straw provides a handsome gambler with a 4 inch brim that is also inexpensive.  Like we mentioned above lindu straw is durable so even though the hats are cheap, they last.  Also this gambler has a chin strap so your customers are not going to lose their hats on a windy day. 

ENDLESS OUTDOOR EVENTS FOR HATS

Are hats a business for you?  Take a minute to think of all the outdoor events that will take place in your area—street fairs, cook outs, sporting events, fishing, beaches, garden shows, concerts, festivals, church fairs, car shows—the list is endless.  And even without events that draw crowds, people need hats for working in the garden, mowing the grass, fishing trips, and vacations.  Think about it.  Hats are really important for our summer business, and will probably be a big boost for your summer sales.

Is there any word in the English language more emotionally packed than “Mom”?  No wonder Hallmark’s site ranks Mother’s Day as the #3 occasion for card sending behind only Christmas and Valentine’s Day.   Feelings are genuine for this occasion and a lot of thought goes into shopping for Mom. 

MOTHER’S DAY HATS

Moms that love dress hats are likely to get one as a gift on Mother’s Day.  The occasion ranks second only to Easter for dress hat sales.  Especially Moms that wear hats to church can look forward to this gift from the kids. 

Organza hats top the list for popularity in 2012.  The material is lightweight with a sheen and colors as well as designs are exquisite.  Originally organza was a silk product, but today synthetics make organza hats very affordable. Variety includes wide brims, narrower rolled down brims, solid color, and two-tone hats.   

For traditional dress hat styles, polypropylene with its tight sewn-and-braid construction provides a Milan straw look, recognized by every lady that knows her church hats.  Colors and shapes provide plenty of originality so everyone can be unique on Sunday morning, but with the summer still ahead of us, white is the safe choice that will get lots of wear. 

FASCINATORS FOR MOM

If Mom is following fashion, fascinators may be the perfect gift.  These hair ornaments exploded in popularity after the royal wedding and supply is still trying to keep up with demand.  Here’s a meaningful gift Mom may not be able to find.  Horsehair designs with feathers, crystals, and sequin appliqués mount on combs, headbands, or bases with clips to attach to the hair. 

Other styles use ribbon ruffles and special designs in fascinators combine sinamay, feathers, and crystals.  More difficult to find, the sinamay fascinators have a wonderful array of colors and designs that range from classy to cute.  Perhaps the sinamay top hats are the cutest of all.  

MOTHER’S DAY JEWELRY

When it comes to Mother’s Day jewelry, only exquisite will do.  Nothing cheesy here!  Lockets and pendants designed for Mother’s Day by “Best Brand” do not cut corners.  They craft most jewelry with their signature process that starts with stamping from a thin sheet of steel and results in exceptional detail and three-dimensional relief.  Plating, polishing, and sometimes two-toning follows.  The finished jewelry is a collectible piece Mom can treasure. 

Dressy jewelry is another option for Mother’s day gifts.  Crystal, rhinestone, or faux pearl never fail to please.  Mother’s Day is high on the list for taking Mom to dine out and this can be her opportunity to wear the gift of dressy jewelry. 

For elegance, nothing beats faux pearl except the real thing of course. This is a gift that can accessorize for dining out as well as for church or special events.  Have variety in your shop for the many personalities that may want simple elegance or more dramatic designs.  

Along with pearl jewelry include crystal jewelry in your selection.  These include bracelets, earrings and necklace sets.  But it’s the sets that are the most popular for Mother’s Day gifts.  How many different looks artists can create from crystals! 

Some necklace sets use smaller crystals to create garden themes for summer that include butterflies, blossoms, and vining leaves.  Others are bolder with fire polished crystals in different shapes that accessorize an outfit with shimmering color. 

For Moms that like bracelets, there is plenty of sparkle in this category from large flower or butterfly designs to bold bangles or the sophistication of Art Deco looks. 

Stock now for the Mother’s Day rush that often comes at the last minute.  This is the kind of merchandise that always has a need so keep a selection of dressy jewelry grouped together to tell a story.  This makes an impact that your customers will remember and you will be the one they think of when a special occasion comes up. 

A year ago Accessory Magazine called oversized cocktail rings with stretch bands the sleeper item of the year. What fashion accessory will have that distinction this year?   Fascinators certainly have to be in the running.  These hair accessories took off like wildfire after the royal wedding. 

UNIQUE HISTORY OF FASCINATORS

The history of fascinators is rather unique in fashion accessories.  They come in to fashion and go out in cycles that are separated by spans of several years.  So each time they come into fashion, a new generation of buyers sees them as entirely new even though they have sprung into fashion and then resided several times over the last 250 years. 

Whenever hair styles are piled high, hats don’t work and fascinators come into fashion.  Remember those pictures from history showing massive hair-dos during the 1700s.  Well there’s a famous picture of Marie Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI, wearing a fascinator in a high hair-do. 

The most recent rise in fascinator popularity is the 1960s.  Along with cocktail hats, these hair ornaments were the style, but most of today’s consumers were not on the scene during that trend, so fascinators seem like an entirely new item to them.    

FASCINATORS APPEAL TO ALL AGE GROUPS

The novelty of fascinators has a universal appeal to women of all age groups.  Celebrities wearing these hair ornaments certainly has impact on the younger market.  Fascinators are enjoying a rising popularity as prom accessories as well as bridal.  White or ivory fascinators can even replace the tiara and veil of the bride, but more often they are worn at showers preceding the big day or at receptions by the bride.

This year, look for women of all ages wearing fascinators at derbies and gala events.  The Kentucky Derby is the hat show of the year and you expect fascinators to make a strong showing.     

The frenzy for fascinators caught the industry off guard so supply is low and demand high.  This is spawning a cottage industry of artists creating these hair accessories.  Designs incorporate lace, crystals, ribbon, feathers, and other components like sinamay.

SINAMAY FASCINATORS

Sinamay fascinators are harder to find and are usually pricier.  Philippine sinamay is the best quality and these designs can be exceptional with miniature top hats, sinamay bows with feathers, Ruffles of sinamay with protruding feathers, or large sinamay disks decorated with feathers and ribbon.

The starting point is a base that attaches the hair ornaments to the hair.  This can be a solid fabric base with clips like firm felt, or a smaller metal disk with clips.  Combs and headbands are also used.

Sinamay is much harder to work with when creating designs, so the cottage industry of unique fascinators usually prefers lace, crystals, horsehair, feathers, and ribbons.  Dot netting is often part of the design to add that sophisticated look of lace over the eyes—something that was so common in the sixties, but has nearly become extinct before the recent advent of fascinators. 

HOW LONG WILL FASCINATORS BE TRENDY?

So how long will the trend continue?  One factor that can knock out a trend is over-supply and that definitely isn’t happening in a market where most consumers can’t even find fascinators.  Another determining factor is innovation.  Innovation is the driving force that keeps trends moving.  Even with limited supply, innovation is constantly renewing the fascinator market.  All the artists involved in the cottage industry are a big help here.  Finally, the media.  As long as fashion magazines, bridal publications, and celebrity shows continue to promote fascinators, this trend has legs.  So if you’re in the fashion retail business, get on board while demand is high and supply low.     

Spring is an enjoyable time of the year for the fashion industry because so many events come in the first few months of the year, creating a real stir in business.  Along with prom, Easter hats, pageant, and the arrival of spring apparel and accessories, there is an increase in bridal business.  Yes, bridal is year round, but spring sees even more weddings taking place. 

BRIDAL JEWELRY TRENDS FOR 2012

Statement Jewelry for Weddings

Like fashion jewelry, bridal jewelry evolves with changing designs and emphasis.  The direction of fashion jewelry over the last few seasons is towards dramatic designs with statement necklaces and bold cuffs and earrings.  Wedding jewelry hasn’t ignored these developments.  Bridal magazines show some statement necklaces in pearl or rhinestone in tasteful designs so they can add a touch of today’s trends without sacrificing elegance. 

Even when accessories do not include a necklace, bolder bracelets can add the drama prevalent in 2012.  Both faux pearl and crystal bracelets are showing up in bridal magazines and both are selling.

But the jewelry that is almost always essential is earrings and today’s bridal jewelry also makes use of bolder size with even rhinestone shoulder dusters included in the mix. 

Brooches

While designers are showcasing many gowns with minimal jewelry, most forecasters are saying more jewelry, not less.  One of those added pieces of jewelry is brooches—brooches added in every imaginable creative way.  They can add sparkle to shoes, accent a waist sash, or be pinned to the bodice, plus brooches make wonderful bridesmaid gifts.  Brooches with white or ivory faux pearl work well because they do not draw attention away from the wedding gown

Jewelry in Flower and Leaf Themes

Look for flower blossoms, leaves, and vining designs to be important in bridal jewelry this year.  They are also big in fashion for the summer.  Rhinestone, faux pearl, and crystal jewelry will accommodate these themes this spring with vining designs, blossom motifs, and delicate leaves.    

Crystal Wedding Jewelry

Shimmering crystals will be important in a season where trends call for larger size in jewelry.  Remember when forecasters said chandelier earrings have run their course?  Not so fast!  They are back offering sparkling elegance with a vintage flair.  Crystal necklace sets and bracelets are also important because they deliver dramatic size without sacrificing elegance. 

Fascinators

Tiaras are still very important for the wedding day, but fascinators took a sudden rise after the royal wedding.  Britain sets the trends in headwear and they made a serious impact on what is worn in the hair for the special day with a magnificent show of fascinators at the royal wedding.  Fascinators have gone in and out of fashion since the 1700s. Usually the span between them being in style is lengthily so consumers view their reintroduction as an entirely new item.   

Fascinators come on a base that clips in the hair or on headbands.  Components are mainly lace, feathers, crystals, and sequins.   This is one trend in bridal headwear that is catching on in a big way.  Expect fascinators also to be important for prom this year. 

TRADITIONAL BRIDAL JEWELRY STILL DOMINATES

Your fashion forward customers may be attracted to the latest trends in wedding jewelry, but the vast majority of brides-to-be play it safe with traditional looks.  After all, this is the dream day—the day that has every tiny detail carefully planned.  The safe jewelry is traditional designs in faux pearl or rhinestone.  This provides elegance that will withstand the test of time when children and grandchildren are viewing the wedding portfolio decades later. 

Rhinestone sets for bridal are usually delicate designs that maximize the sparkle with clear rhinestones in silver plated settings.  The necklaces are simple, not detracting from the gown.  The set shown uses a symmetrical design that is classic. 

Rhinestones can also combine with faux pearls for elegant jewelry that is definitely bridal.  Combinations like the one shown seem to be timeless, remaining a favorite of brides-to-be year after year. 

Designs that use faux pearl exclusively also deliver a classy look that is very traditional.  After all, what is more elegant than pearls?  White pearl outsells off-white and ivory, but really the gown dictates the color.  Usually off-white and ivory pearl use gold plating for any settings and white uses silver plating. 

Bridal earrings also often use faux pearl.  Classic is the answer here whether domed or oval buttons or classic drops.  Sometimes a gown calls for earrings only.  What can be more elegant than faux pearl or pearl and rhinestone combinations? 

Include some trendy jewelry in your bridal accessories, but concentrate the main part of your selection on traditional bridal jewelry that delivers classic elegance because new trends make minimal impact.  Brides want the safe, traditional look for this important day.      

Spring is here and the latest fashion we saw on the runways a few moths ago is now in the stores.  But before we cover fashion jewelry that is trending, let’s look at what is in high demand right now—glitzy and formal jewelry. 

RHINESTONE NECKLACE SETS FOR PROM

Prom is getting close and prom girls will be searching for the perfect dress and accessories to go with it.  Retailers are gearing up with inventory to please the shoppers.  Always important at prom time is rhinestone necklace sets.  Trendy look like Y necklaces suit this age group, especially when they have an affordable price tag.  This set shown uses clear rhinestones in silver plated settings for maximum sparkle and retailers can offer it at prices the prom girls can afford. 

Sometimes matching accessories to the dress color is important to the shopper.  To do this, rhinestone jewelry uses color highlights in clear rhinestone sets.  This provides far more life than sets consisting of all colored stones.   New styles include bib designs terminating with colored highlights or collar-like sets with a fringe of color. 

Actually, designs in rhinestone jewelry have a timeless quality.  Some styles first created a number of years ago remain as favorites for consumers today.  Rhinestone chokers with one to four rows of rhinestones are as popular today as they were more than a decade ago when they entered the market.  These styles are especially popular with groups like choral groups or dance routines, but hey also work for prom.   

Fashion trends today are moving towards jewelry that is more dramatic and the trend is spilling over into formal jewelry.  Wide collars provide statement jewelry with abundant sparkle while retaining tasteful design that complements the overall look. 

GARDEN THEMES IN FORMAL JEWELRY

The garden theme, especially flower blossoms, is growing in fashion jewelry and also influencing formal jewelry.   The crystal bracelets shown create the theme in uptrending dramatic size.  Here is statement jewelry that will appeal to the prom girl that isn’t shy. 

Rhinestone necklaces also incorporate blossoms in designs.  The set shown has gold plated settings, which are hard to find with gold prices over $1,700 an ounce.  Actually there are a number of new rhinestone sets in gold plating this season, which often accessorizes a gown far better than silver. 

CRYSTAL AND RHINESTONE BRACELETS

Teenage girls love bracelets so sparkly rhinestone or crystal bracelets are perfect for prom, adding some bling to help make an unforgettable evening.  The rhinestone bracelet shown is a proven hit with prom girls.  The design appears to intertwine two wide rows of rhinestone creating a ¾ inch width loaded with sparkling rhinestones. 

For the girls that prefer bangles, hearts are perfect for prom night.  This heart bangle bracelet uses a spring-loaded hinge to close around the wrist with an open heart next to a rhinestone-filled heart centering at the top.

DRAMATIC CRYSTAL AND RHINESTONE EARRINGS

Some dresses don’t accommodate necklaces so earrings provide the sparkle in accessories.  Today’s prom girls love dramatic size in glitzy earrings.  Rhinestone earrings in shoulder duster length provide endless shimmer with plenty of movement in a silky smooth flow of small stones.  This is prom jewelry that is absolutely eye-catching.  Have these earring styles on hand to mesmerize your customers. 

For a bolder look inspired by vintage chose crystal earrings.  Dangling fringes of crystal stones radiate sparkle, providing the look prom girls have seen in the fashion magazines.  Clear crystals in silver plated settings are the favorite, but crystal earrings can easily provide color also. 

Want even more drama?  Add crystal chandelier earrings.   Chandeliers are all about motion that grabs attention with abundant sparkle.   They have the sophistication of vintage design and prove to have timeless appeal.  Everyone that thought chandelier earrings were only a fad has to rethink it after ten years of remaining  on consumers’ favorite list. 

Prom is like Black Friday.  It helps retailers pay the bills and get healthy.  Plus it is something retailers can count on every year.  Next blog will look at bridal jewelry–another phase of formal jewelry that also peaks in the spring.

 Some of the special days of celebration like Mardi Gras and Halloween are booming explosions of revelry while others like St. Patrick’s Day move under the radar. What makes the difference?  Is it masking?  Well, masks certainly remove inhibitions and let restrained feelings surface, but St. Patrick’s Day has another advantage on the meter of civility—it started as a religious feast day.

The History Channels websiteprovides a wealth of information about the historical background of St. Patrick’s Day. The feast day is March 17 because that is believed to be the date Patrick died in the year 461.  After being captured in England at age 16, he was sold as a slave in Ireland.  He escaped and returned to convert the Island to Christianity.  Legend says the shamrock was the visual tool he used to explain the Trinity. 

HISTORY OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

The big event for the feast day is parades.  Surprisingly the St. Patrick’s Day parade didn’t begin in Ireland, but in New York City where Irish troops in the British Army celebrated by marching through the City on March 17, 1762. 

Nearly one hundred years later The Potato Famine drove many poor Irish to seek a new life in America.  At first they were shunned and had a hard time finding employment.  They formed Irish Aid Societies to help each other and the Aid Societies held parades on St. Patrick’s Day.  The public ridiculed them until the Irish-Americans discovered the power a political block of votes can deliver.  The “Green Machine” took on a new importance that politicians catered to. 

Modern times see St. Patrick’s Day celebrated throughout the country, actually throughout a great part of the world—even in Japan.   

JEWELRY FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Today everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and gift shops get a boost in business by helping them do just that.  The fun starts early with anyone going to work as well as anyone out shopping or socializing.  Women need St. Patrick’s Day jewelry.  After all, no one wants to get pinched for not having their green.  And the quality of St. Patrick’s Day jewelry has certainly come up over the last few years. 

A leader in quality seasonal jewelry is “Best Brand”.  This company has unique ways of expressing the season and the quality of the jewelry that delivers the theme is superb.  For the most part, the company does metalwork and stamping is the way it delivers marvelous detail.  The pendant shown is an example.  Stamping a thin sheet of steel creates raised dimensional relief with exceptional detail.  A plate is cut to seal the back, creating quality fashion jewelry with the same process used for sterling silver.  Next the pendant is silver plated, polished, and the shamrocks are epoxied green.  The finished piece can be worn as a pendant or a pin.  This is quality jewelry that women can be proud to wear on St. Patrick’s Day. 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY TIES FOR GUYS GOING TO WORK

What about the guys?  They’re not left out.  St. Patrick’s Day accessories offer a variety of neckties in the theme.  Imagine your customers showing up for work in a tie that blares ST. Patrick’s Day spirit.  After all, everyone is Irish on March 17. 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BEADS FOR PARADES

Then there are the parades.  Of course onlookers need to show their in the spirit.  What better way than decked out in St. Patrick’s Day beads!  The size of this nationwide celebration creates a big enough market that manufacturers can put plenty of attention into the Mardi Gras style beads made with St. Patrick’s Day themes. 

Everything from leprechauns and shamrocks to green beer mugs and corn beef & cabbage are themes in these specialty beads made to celebrate the occasion.  The nicer beads are all hand strung and of course have a predominantly green color. 

Irish pubs are also part of the celebration and St. Patrick’s Day beads are a favorite for them.  But normally they do not have the nice specialty beds you can offer your customers.  So if some of your customers are going to stop for a green beer after the parade, they may want to standout by buying quality St. Patrick’s Day beads that you can provide them. 

NOVELTY HATS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY

But beads alone aren’t enough.  No, the celebration also calls for novelty hats in St. Patrick’s Day themes.  This can be felt leprechaun hats or velvet mad-hatters in green complete with a green beard.  Deck out your customers with both beads and novelty hats and they can enjoy the parade without getting pinched for not wearing their green. 

FEATHER BOAS FOR CELEBRATION

Alright, now your customers are going to be looking for green feather boas.  That’s a sure sign they are part of the celebration.  Feather boas rank along with beads and novelty hats as the most popular party items for St. Patrick’s Day.  The standard length of boas is 6 feet and the fullness is measured by weight.  55 to 60 grams are reasonably full feather boas that are still affordable. 

The green boas shown are in that weight range and are actually a bargain because all the regulations going into imported feathers is causing prices on future shipments to go up. 

NOVELTY SUNGLASSES FOR A HILARIOUS TIME

Novelty sunglasses are the final item on the list.  These are for the intense reveler that really wants to have fun.  Put these in your shop and you will notice people can’t pass them up without trying them on.  A favorite style is green beer bottles.  This is a hilarious way for your customers to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. 

Stock now because the celebration will soon be here.  Place merchandise in one location to tell a story.  If you are on the parade route, see if the municipality will let you set up in front of your store.  Even if you’re not, word of mouth will go a long way to help advertise your shop. 

When daffodils begin to sprout and azaleas begin to bloom, spring is close.  Another sign is the arrival of wholesale dress hats for spring.  Actually, this is far more exciting to fashion retailers than the flowers blooming because new spring hats in their shops create a buying frenzy that rings the cash register.   This year won’t disappoint with a fabulous lineup of new styles in spring dress hats. 

ORGANZA HATS

Number one in popularity is organza hats.  This is our third year of carrying organza in dress hats and the first two years they were the first to sell out, so when budgeting for millinery include organzas first.  They may be new to many retailers so the question arise—what exactly is organza? 

Originally organza was silk product.  The weave used silk yarn with a high luster, producing fabric with a sheen that was almost iridescent.  Today it is produced with nylon at a more affordable price while still retaining the high luster.  Hats in organza normally have wired brims to help hold the shape. 

Organza headwear offered a new medium for dress hats that immediately attracted women shopping for dress hats.  This season organza hats borrow new shapes already proving successful in polypropylene dress hats—shapes with squared crowns that angle down as well as the forever popular widebrim that turns down.  Retailers should consider organza hats first when stocking because they sell out quick. Then they can depth to their selection with polypropylenes and sinamays on their following purchases. 

POLYPROPYLENE DRESS HATS

Polypropylene dress hats are the traditional look for church hats.  The material has narrow braided strips that are sewn together in a continuous fashion to create the hat shape.  Straws use the same procedure and are referred to as sewn-and-braid. 

Most renowned for this process were hats from Milan Italy called Milan straws.  Actually, the word for milliner derives from Milan.  The wonderful feature about polypropylenes is not only a host of shapes, but endless colors. 

This season new shapes include high crowns with short downturned brims.  The top of the crown is squared and angles down to one side.  It has a telescope crease like men’s fedoras and lavish trim completes the look.  Polypropylenes are a must in a dress hat line geared towards church ladies. 

In addition to trimmed hats, milliners can also buy untrimmed polypropylene hats to craft their own creations.  The number of styles available to milliners has really expanded in the last few years so now they can be very original in pleasing all the different personalities in their customer base.

Perhaps the most elegant of the untrimmed hats offered is the widebrim hat with alternating rows of polypropylene and horsehair in the brim.  This is the utmost classy hat for outdoor weddings, teas, and luncheons.    

HAT TRIMS

To make the milliner’s job easier, many pre-sewn hat trims are available to mix and match with hat shapes for endless combinations.  Most are satin decorations that also include the band.  The band and decoration hot glue to the hat for custom headwear that goes together very easily. 

SINAMAY HATS

Sinamay dress hats have a sophistication that shows up at royal weddings and classic events like the Kentucky Derby.  This headwear is a favorite as church hats as well. 

What is sinamay?  The fabric that makes the hat is an open weave using fiber that was originally obtained from a species of banana trees found in the Philippines.  How did it become a medium for milliners?  HATalk gives a possible answer that they say is unsubstantiated.  A woman passing a flower display everyday noticed the sinamay ribbon tying flowers together.  She obtained some and had good luck with blocking the material, possibly opening the way to sinamay hats.  Regardless, the introduction of sinamay hats seems to date around the late 1980s. 

Today sinamays rank with the most elegant summer hats—a favorite even of Queen Elizabeth.  Innovation this year includes widebrims with a gentle wave to the brim, providing design that is somewhat unconventional.    

In addition, the high crown shape that is growing in popularity in all dress hats regardless of material, can be found in sinamay also.  This style is straight-sided with a flat crown that angles to one side and has a short rolled down brim—a hit in sinamay as it is in all materials for dress hats.   

SATIN BRAID DRESS HATS

Satin braids are the Cadillac of dressy hats.  They have a silky appearance with ribbed texture.  Satin cord-like material is continuously sewed to create the hat styles.   While the finished product is gorgeous, but they are not the fastest selling dress hats because they are also the most expensive.  

EASTER HATS

Easter is the biggest day of the year for dress hats.  Actually, Easter hats and church hats are synonymous because, for the most part, church is where these dressy hats are worn on Easter morning. 

It’s an obvious fact for anyone in the dress hat business that church hats are the number one demand for dressy headwear.  These are the hats that have continued the market for dressy millinery after the 1960s when hats were no longer a required item when dressing up. 

The second largest day for ladies dress hats is Mother’s Day.  After that summer dress hats are hard to find so if you have some inventory to get through the summer, you may have no competition.

OTHER DEMANDS FOR DRESS HATS

Spring is the best time of the year for dress hats because Easter and Mother’s Day are accompanied by a number of other major events that call for dressy headwear.  High on the list is derbies, especially The Kentucky Derby.  Outdoor weddings and private weddings with few attendees call for dress hats.  Hats are very appropriate for teas and luncheons—sometimes they are required.  Many formal balls and fundraisers call for dressy headwear.  Black hats are often worn for funerals, white hats for weddings, and red hats by those ladies that believe you are never too old to enjoy life.  We are in the peak season for dress has so make room in your shop and take advantage of the buying frenzy.       

From coast to coast there are small fashion businesses that are thriving in spite of the mountain of obstacles that seem to be in the way.  One challenge new entrepreneur entering fashion face is competition from major retailers with deep pockets.  The previous two blogs examined niche markets that provide safe-haven where big box companies don’t go.  But there is another safe haven where small business shares the market with the majors.  These are the areas of fashion where consumers simply trust small business over the majors to supply the fashion item.  What does that mean?  Well an example can best answer the question. 

CHURCH HATS

There is a very large market of ladies searching for church hats that opens every spring.  Yes, fall is another time for dress hats for church, but spring is more important because it contains the two largest days of the year for church hats—Easter and Mothers Day.  All the major department stores and many of the other big box companies will have a selection of dress hats to meet the demand, but the selection is not extensive, it is not on target with fresh millinery designs, and there is plenty of duplication of styles.  In addition, there is no dedicated area to dress hats that tells a story consumers trust. 

What about small business?  This is where the church ladies go to select new hats for spring and fall.  Why?  First, small businesses that concentrate on church hats make this an important part of their inventory.  The shopkeeper is aware of changing styles and colors for the season, not to mention their expert help to customers in choosing the right hat for their personality and stature.  They also have such familiarity with headwear that showing customers how to wear a hat is almost natural. 

Then there is the unique factor.  One thing women searching for church hats don’t want to happen is to show up on Sunday morning and others are wearing the same hat.  Small millinery businesses have wide selection, but very little duplication of hats in the same style and color.

I don’t believe anyone has ever officially done the statistics, but I feel it is almost certain that the church hats retailed over a season are 80% or higher from small business.  

WEDDING ACCESSORIES

What day is more important in a woman’s life than their wedding day?  For that reason everything must be perfect.  This day will be frozen in the wedding album for generations to come so brides want traditional elegance.  While some majors venture into the specialized business of bridal accessories, the wedding party mainly trusts the expert advice of professionals in small business. 

Will the bride wear a tiara, a veil, or simply a hair ornament?  They trust small business experts to help make these decisions. 

Should the bride wear gloves?  If so, what length and what design?  And what about the bridesmaids?   There are endless options here from no gloves to wrist length, over the elbow, and opera length.  Brides feel much more confident when they have the input of that small business professional that has accessorized hundreds of weddings and has insight on what looks best for each individual occasion. 

Jewelry is another area that calls for important decisions. Brides planning a wedding have their hands full with all the details of making the occasion perfect.  Accessorizing the gown is one more decision to be made and it is an important one.  Here they often feel comfortable with the advice of an expert.  After all, the choices will appear in nearly every picture in the wedding album for all posterity.  Some gowns look good with necklace sets.  Should it be pearl or rhinestone?  Others call for earrings only. In addition there is the bridesmaid jewelry.  When that expert in small business makes a recommendation, a lot of weight comes off the shoulders of the bride.  They feel reassured because a professional with a history of experience provides input they trust. 

Evening bags are another accessory tailored to each bridal occasion.  Bridal bags for the bride and evening bags for bridesmaids is an option.  Actually, for bridesmaids the evening bags are often given as gifts.  But does the individual wedding call for evening bags?  The small business expert not only helps make the decision, but normally they are the only one selection to provide the bridal bag for the bride and colors for bridesmaids.  Overall, bridal couples trust small business when it comes to an event as important as the wedding day. 

FASCINATORS & FAST INNOVATION IN FASHION

Fascinators were on the rise before the royal wedding, but after that event hit world-wide television, the chart of popularity went straight up.  This is a new addition to headwear and who do consumers trust for the latest innovations in fashion?—Small business of course, usually boutiques. 

Fascinators will be covered in depth in the next blog, but here they are only used as an example of the fast reaction small business has to innovation.  When small business sees new fashion items making a sudden rise in popularity, they get with suppliers and have it in the store within a week or two.  Big box companies don’t operate like that.  Their purchasing was done months ahead of time and buyers have layers of bureaucracy before innovative items hit the floor.  So for the really “new” in fashion, consumers trust small business. 

Fascinators are an excellent example of fashion items that rise suddenly because they are so cyclical.  For centuries they have made a sudden appearance on the fashion scene and then completely disappeared, retuning again for a new generation that views them as entirely new. 

A famous picture of Marie Antoinette wearing a fascinator makes the point.  When high hairdos are in style hats can’t be worn so fascinators are the only choice in headwear.  Over the last few hundred years, fascinators came and went with hair styles.  Most recently, cocktail hats and fascinators became an important fashion statement in the sixties.  But today’s generation doesn’t remember that so they appear to be entirely new.  The important point is fashion items that suddenly rise to popularity consumer expect to find in small fashion businesses and that is where they look. 

This is only a sampling of the fashion items that consumers depend on small business to supply.  How often is small business overlooked or underestimated when we think of the overall retail picture.  They are there and many are thriving because they provide endless products in niche markets that the majors miss and even more important, because the expertise and personal service of small fashion businesses simply cannot be duplicated by the majors in many markets. 

The second part of our series on survival tactics for small business starts with jewelry and accessories for seasons and special occasions.  Valentine’s Day is here and that is exactly what we are talking about when we say special occasions.   Actually the Spring is loaded with them—mainly Valentines, Easter, and Mother’s Day.

JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

As a salesman calling on small fashion businesses, presentations on the days leading up to these special occasions were filled with interruptions as busy shopkeepers tried to squeeze in ordering between taking care of customers that wanted their input on what to buy.  This is a happy problem. 

Yes, you can say that special occasions like Easter see discount stores jammed with Easter baskets and candy, but what about shoppers that want a quality gifts for Mom, a spouse, or significant other.  Jewelry with exceptional quality really sends a meaningful message for these consumers.  One manufacturer that does an exceptional job at providing exceptional quality is “Best Brand”.  Every special occasion is covered in their line that can be found in each occasion’s category on our website. 

What makes this line so unique and desirable?   The meaningful designs and exceptional manufacturing process.  Let’s look at Mother’s Day.  “Mom” is the most emotionally packed word in the English language.  This day carries feelings.  So what’s the message shoppers want to send on this occasion?  Special, very special, no one can replace a Mom.  One of “Best Brands” pendants goes straight to the heart with letters spelling out “Special Mom”. 

The delivery is not a simple casting, which any manufacturer can create.  No, “Best Brand” goes the extra mile in quality.  The pendant uses their signature process of stamping the design from a thin sheet of steel into a statement that immediately creates a message for onlookers.  Then the jewelry is plated, often two-toned, and polished for a finished product that the eye cannot distinguish from an expensive work in sterling silver.  This is providing the fashion jewelry for special occasions that stands above the majors.  This is a quality line that is so labor intense that the large quantities national department stores need simply cannot be produced, so small business is the exclusive provider for the consumer. 

Keep an area available for special occasions and decorate it to draw attention so that customers will remember where to buy the seasonal gifts for the important special days of the year. 

UNIQUE FASHION JEWELRY

Niche markets don’t need to be narrow.  They can have universal application to accessorize fashion.  The pendants described above and matching earrings reach out to endless themes as well as designs that are fashion statements.  Added to chokers or chains, these quality pieces of fashion jewelry provide a tailored line that is perfect with career wear and suits. 

The endless themes also create a show-stopper that consumers can’t pass up.  All the original designs capture attention and something in this group will pull at the heart strings of  the shopper—whether their pets, a vacation area like sea life,  their interests like sewing or cooking, or their children’s activities like ballet, cheerleading, or soccer Mom. 

The match of fashion jewelry to interests close to the heart is almost a guaranteed sale.  In addition, the many fashion designs can be a perfect accessory for a new outfit as well as jewelry to update last year’s wardrobe to this year’s trends. 

Shoppers need the wide selection of fashion jewelry that specialized small businesses carry to complete an outfit with the perfect accessories.  Small business is the answer because the majors want to concentrate on apparel and don’t have the staff for individual service that helps shoppers coordinate. 

RHINESTONE JEWELRY

Broader niche markets can be dressy as well.  Where do you find the wide selection of rhinestone jewelry needed for prom, bridal, balls, and pageants?  Only in small fashion businesses.  Department stores are normally very limited in the selection of rhinestone.  On the other hand, boutiques and accessory stores have the selection and the personalized service to help customers accessorize an outfit. 

Normally bridal and prom customers want delicate designs in rhinestone necklace sets.  Gowns dictate gold or silver plated settings as well as whether a necklace is needed.  Then there are personalities that vary between contemporary or traditional looks with more daring and fashion forward customers preferring dramatic designs that follow the trends in fashion jewelry. 

Often when the gown does not accommodate a necklace, more dramatic earrings are the accessory.  Sometimes the customer knows exactly what they want, but more often, they are looking for the expert advice of the shopkeeper.  Make the perfect match for that customer and you can almost be certain, they will be back shopping with you again. 

Success for small business is most often a collection of niche markets and specialized service.  This provides a unique combination to fill needs that the big box stores can’t match. 

This is the 27^th year for Accessory Wholesale inc. business.  Sometimes we have to stop and ask, have we learned anything over the last quarter of a century in business?  Our business is fashion jewelry and accessories plus some really fun items like Mardi Gras and masks.  Those familiar with fashion know that it is cyclical.  Trends come and go, business build for years and then reverse for years in rollercoaster-like cycles. 

 How does small business survive that?  Our business as a wholesaler depends on the success of small retailers.  These are our customers.  Some small fashion businesses have found their space in the retail world and are doing very well, while many others may feel the walls closing in with competitions from major retailers as well as taxes, insurance, and everything else including days with problem customers. 

 Over the last 27 years, we haven’t come up with neat little formulas for guaranteed success, but we have noticed some tactics by successful retailers that seem to work.  This blog and the following two will hash out five ideas. 

 1) LOCATION

How many times have we heard the three most important things that make a business successful are location, location, and location?  Sounds simple enough, right?  That is until we try to pin down what is the right location.  Most areas have shopping destinations that can draw from 25 and more miles away.  This is often a mall like the Acadiana Mall in Lafayette, La. or the White Oaks Mall in Springfield, Ill. 

 These shopping destinations get plenty of traffic, but leases are through the roof.  Small business often feels it is giving all the profit to the property owner. I noticed something as a road salesman calling on small fashion businesses.  Many successful businesses were in smaller towns away from the shopping destination. They had desirable merchandise and were conveniently close to their customers.  Personal service accompanied by a high level of energy made shoppers feel special as well as energized to buy.  They were packed with customers when locals needed gifts for those special days like Valentines Day and Mothers Day. 

 Location and the price of the lease need to be weighed to determine whether sales volume is going to overcome the lease cost. 

 2) NICHE MARKETS IN JEWELRY & FASHION 

The Christmas shopping season is probably the time when small business feels major retailers cutting into their sales more than any other time of the year.  Niche markets insulate small business from the onslaught.  Most niche markets are an area where the majors simply don’t go. 

 FLEUR-DE-LIS JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES

A few examples will make the point.  Since Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans, fleur-de-lis jewelry and accessories have been extremely popular.  It is the symbol of the City as well as on the Acadiana flag.  Louisiana has rallied around this emblem since the devastation of the Hurricane and it has been in hot demand by the locals.  But the only place to find a nice selection is small business.  This is a niche market that small business owns. 

  CAPITALIZING ON LOCAL SCHOOL THEMES

Think about sports.  Local high schools and colleges have a following of avid fans.  This is a super niche market, especially high schools.  Of course manufacturers are not going to produce lines of merchandise for individual high schools, but that is where the ingenuity of small business comes in. 

 If this were a recipe, school colors and school mascots would be the main ingredients.  Decorating an area with colors and the mascot screams “local high school” to your shoppers.  Everything from stuffed animals to jewelry and printed shirts creates the story.  In jewelry, chokers, mascot pendants, and school color beads can be offered separately so customer can create their own high school jewelry.  School color bracelets are also available to fit into the theme.  If mascot pendants aren’t available, simply substitute a sports pendant like a football.  That with the school color beads will tell the story.  Sounds like a lot of creativity and work?  Well, there are some easier choices that can add other niche markets. 

 MARDI GRAS JEWELRY, GIFTS, AND PARTY ITEMS

In some areas, Mardi Gras is huge and this market belongs almost entirely to small business.   If “The Greatest Free Show on Earth” is celebrated in your area, take advantage of the enormous retail business done in Mardi Gras items while other parts of the country are recovering from Christmas.  If not, you be the shop that introduces this fun celebration to your area. 

 What makes up an irresistible Mardi Gras selection for retailers?  Of course, beads must be included—not cheap throw beads, but specialty beads that consumers will pay money for.  Hand-strung Mardi Gras beads in nice designs and Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green have to be part of the selection. But other colors are often used in beads that have a theme, like crawfish boil, jesters, peppers, seafood, oysters on the half shell, and more. 

 Novelty hats are also an almost necessary party item.  Purple, gold, and green novelty hats again do well for Mardi Gras—headwear like jester hats, sequin tiaras, mad hatters, or crowns.  But any crazy hat will be popular for this super party.  You need a lot of selection, but not a lot of depth.  The market doesn’t end on Ash Wednesday.  Festivals, birthday parties, and sporting events are more opportunities for sales in this fun headwear.    

  Boas are a festive accessory popular with girls—purple, gold, and green for Mardi Gras day, but other colors do very well also.  When buying boas, the fullness is determined by weight and a good weight is 55 to 60 grams. 

 Masks are a major ingredient for Mardi Gras and selection has certainly become more sophisticated over the last few years.  Feather masks, both worn with elastic bands and on a stick to be held, continue to provide more breath-taking designs.  The sequin mask with a spray of feathers to one side is leading seller year after year.  Coque, ostrich, and marabou feathers make a fabulous arrangement in the spray, making these masks extraordinary without being expensive.  

 The rising star in masks is Venetian style masks.  These gorgeous works of art were practically unknown a few years ago and now frequent reality shows, TV, and the movies.  The art of mask making had its own guild in Venus during the Renaissance and the growing popularity of Venetian style masks makes it hard to pass up when stocking your store. 

 Venetian style masks can be affordable with designs like the Arlecchino patchwork patterns of eye masks for men or masks mounted on sticks with lavish ostrich plumes for women. 

 Exceptional styles include the full-face jester masks in Mardi Gras colors as well as butterfly Venetian style masks for women that are breath-taking.  Venetian masks have the history and artistic beauty that will make you proud to include them in your inventory. 

 Whew!  This blog took more time than I expected so we will save two important areas for small business until the next blog—the areas of jewelry for special occasions and seasons plus key niche markets that appeal to a wider audience.